Brush element of the strip type



Patented Sept. 14, 1954 BRUSH ELEMENT F THE STRIP TYPE Robert W. Vose, West Springfield, Mass., assignor to The Fuller Brush Company, Hartford, Conn., a corporation of Connecticut Application December 19, 1951, Serial No. 262,358 7 Claims. (Cl. 15 205) The invention relates to a brush element of the strip type wherein the brush fibers are held by a metallic strip and are arranged in longitudinally spaced tufts. While not necessarily so limited, a brush element embodying the invention is particularly adapted for Winding on a central core or drum to form a cylindrical brush.

More particularly, the invention relates to a brush element having the general characteristics of that set forth in the copending application of Alfred L. Le Febvre, Robert W. Vose and Ernest D. Hargreaves, Serial No. 93,942, filed May 18, 1949, for Brush Element of the Strip Type, now Patent No. 2,616,111, dated November 4, 1952. The said patent discloses a brush element comprising a plurality of similar longitudinally spaced tufts of fibers each having a rear portion and a projecting front portion, and a single longitudinal sheet metal member bent to provide a rear wall and to provide two oppositely disposed side walls which side walls are shaped to form a plurality of pairs of oppositely rdisposed mating. socket sections longitudinally spaced to respectively receive the inner portions of the said fiber tufts.

One object of the present invention is to provide a brush element similar to that set forth in the said patent but so constructed as to enable the socket sections to more firmly engage the corresponding tufts.

Another object of the invention is to provide a brush element as last above set forth and provided with interengaging means on the side walls of the sheet metal member for preventing separation of the said side walls and for thus holding the socket sections in firm engagement with the tufts.

A further object of the invention is to provide various details of construction and arrangement which enable the foregoing more general objects to be attained.

In the drawing I have shown in detail a preferred embodiment of the invention, but it will be understood that various changes may be made from the construction shown, and that the drawing is not to be construed as defining or limiting the scope of the invention, the claims forming a part of this specification being relied upon for that purpose.

Of the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a side view of a brush element of the strip type embodying the invention.

Fig. 2 is a horizontal sectional view taken along the line 2 2 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a View similar to Fig. 1 but showingthe brush element bent to conform to a cylindrical surface such as the surface of a drum.

Fig. 4 is a transverse vertical sectional view taken along the line 4 4 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a transverse vertical sectional view taken along the line 5 5 of Fig. 1.,

Fig. 6 is a transverse vertical sectional view taken along the line 6 6 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view taken along the line 1 1 of Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view taken along the line 8 8 of Fig. 6.

Fig. 9 is a view similar to Fig. 8 but showing the increased curvature resulting from the bending of the brush element as shown in Fig. 3.

The brush element as shown comprises a longitudinal sheet metal member IIJ bent to provide a channel having a rear wall and having two oppositely disposed side walls. The side walls are shaped to provide a plurality of pairs of oppositely disposed mating socket sections I2 and I4 which cooperate to provide sockets and which are uniformly spaced longitudinally. Engaged within the several sockets and projecting forwardly therefrom are tufts I6, I6 formed of suitable bers. The term fibers is herein used in a generic sense and is intended to include vegetable fibers, or bristles or other animal fibers, or synthetic fibers, or metallic wires, or any other suitable iilaments or brush material.

The socket sections I2 and I4 of each pair are in firm pressed engagement with the corresponding fiber tuft I 6 and the said socket sections of each pair are mutually unobstructed to enable them during final bending to move toward each other to the extent permitted by their engagement with the tuft. This insures firm engagement of the socket sections with the tufts notwithstanding minor variations in the sizes of the tufts. In describing the socket sections of eachpair as mutually unobstructed, it is meant that neither of them has any portion which would engage or obstruct the other in its movement into firm engagement with the tuft. Preferably the adjacent portions of the socket sections of each pair transversely overlap when in their final positions, thus insuring the complete enclosure of the corresponding fiber tuft.

Between the socket sections I2 and I4, the side walls of the sheet metal channel member comprise transversely extending parts I8 and 20 constituting pairs of socket connecting portions, these connecting portions being preferably located approximately midway between the front vof the channel and the rear wall thereof.

Between the socket sections I2 and I4, the side walls of the channel member are formed with notches 22, 22 which extend rearwardly to the inner forward edges of the said oppositely inclined portions I8 and 20. Openings or notches 24, 24 are provided in the channel member' at the rear, these notches registering with the notches 22, 212 and interrupting the rear wall and also interrupting the rear portions of the side walls. By reason of the interruption of the rear wall, longitudinally spaced rear wall portions 26, 26 are provided respectively behind. the sockets and the tufts. These notches 24, 24 extend forwardly to the outer rearward edges of the oppositely inclined portions I8 and 2li. be seen that, by reason of the notches Z, 22 at it will the front and the notches 24F, 24 at the rear, the

said portions I8 and 20 constitute the sole connections between the pairs of socket sections I2- and I4. These connecting poitions I3 and 2S arerelatively thin andv they can be readilyY bent rearwardly, as for instance when the brush elementis wound on a drum as indicated in Fig. 3. While it is essential that bendingv shall occur only.v atthe connectingv portionsof the strip, it is desirable to avoid` excessive exibility and this is. brought about'by placing the connecting portions I8 and 20 in oppositely inclined positions as shown, tliesaid parts;- diverging in the rearward direction.

The oppositely; inclined connecting portions I|8 and 2I1farepreferably longitudinally arched at 8,y 28; as clearly shown in Figs` 'l and 8. There is little or no arching at the, inner edges. ofv the. said parts, but theextent of arching progressively increases from. the inner edges thereof to the nuten edges thereof: For a reason to be hereinafter set forth, the. arching is preferably in forward directions.

A longitudinalcore or retaining wire 3Ilis preferably provided which extends, throughout the.

length ofthebrush. element. This wire is within.

the; chan-nel and it is in front of the rear wall. portions- 2 6, 2and. behind the innerzones of theopposi-tely inclinedconnecting portions I8 and. 29. The, bunches; of' fibers constituting the several tufts. Iii.,Y I6.; are looped around the wire Sii clearly'ShQWnl in Figs. l and 4; thewire thus serving to retain thefibers in place. 'Iheseverall parts are so related that the looped portions of the fibers engage the rear wall. portions 2G, 26. Ashasbeen stated, thefiber tufts are firmly engagedjoyL the socket sections lf2 and I4. The wire 30; engages the connecting portionsV I8'and- 20 and. thesaid portions;- serve not only toprevent forwardfnioyernent of the wire but also toholdthe wire` Central position.

Asfhasgbeen stated, the, socket sections I2 and I4 aremutuallyfunobstructed so that during final bending they canrnoye toward each other to the extent permitted by the corresponding ber,

tuft, the, socket sections .being `thus in iirrn pressed:A

engagement with the tuft. In order toy retain' thasaid socket sections of eachpair in their saidy pressedi relationship` with. the tutt, one of. them. is providedwith at least one transversely extending tab which partly. embraces. and holds the other section of the pair. As. shown, there are twotabs 32 and 34' formed on the edgel portions of the socket section I2, these tabs partly, ernbracing the opposite socket sections 4. It will be seen that these tabs.A 32 and, 34. prevent sep,-

aration of the two sectionsrand.thusholdthein. iny iirm engagementwith the nber tuft. l

Preferably the` tabs. 3.2,l and. 34; are! tapered. and

4 have their smallest depths at their projecting ends. In order to additionally resist any relative movement between the two socket sections I2 and I4, the side wall adjacent each socket section I4 is provided with portions 36 so positioned as to be engaged by the rear edges of the tabs 32 and 34 during final bending of the sheet metal member I0; This engagement' is clearly shown in Figs. 1 and 5. Itwill be seenthat there is a mutual indentation between each portion 36 and the corresponding tab 32 or 34.

Preferably, in order to further assist in preventing any separation of the side walls and more particularly of the -socket sections, one connectingl portion of each pair is provided at the front with a transversely extending tab which engages the. other connecting portion of the pair at the front thereof. As shown, the connecting portion 20 of each pair is provided with a transversely extending tab 38 which engages with the iront of the other connecting portieri- I.8. The-*extreme end' portion of each tab,Y is preferably bentV rearwardlyl as shown in Fig. 6 to more effectively en gage the portion I-8. l

It will b e. observed' thatthel tabs 32- and` 34. are: cnt he socket. sectionl t2; ot one sidewall and that.. theV tab 3.1L ison the connecting portion 2li-of. the. opposite; side` wall; the saidtabs 3,21 and: 311,Y and the said,- tabs; 38' extend-ing transversely in vopposite; directions. The described arrangement of. the tabs, facilitates. theformaition of. the sheet metal blank. for the channel, asi there would notbe sunicient metal for the saidtabs 3.2. and 34` and' th. seid. tabs 33 it all of the tabs were atthe same side..

During; brushing action there isa tendency for the tri-ft fibers to move inwardly in; their respec tive sockets, the-result being that the-innerloopedportionsofj the. bunches' of fibers,r tencltofrmoye longitudinally' along; the wire. This tendency.l iss effectively resisted byl the described firm pressedA engagement of; the socket. section withthee iibers, but; for: additionally.v resisting the saldi tendency means, additional to, Ithe.'l sockets are preferably. provided. which; are sofposltioned, as to; prevent any longitudinal movement of the looped portions of the fibers; Thiszmeensfmay bevazrously formed, but preferably and asi shown it c0ini2-rwi=y centrally@ located tabs. 4m, 40) projecting forwardly' from ,the rear walt portions 26.. 2e 'Iheite are two tabs 40, 40 at the opposite` sidesroiL eachfibel-, loop as. clearly.: shown ini the right.- portioir of Figi` l. rihus. the looped portions: of the fibers; are closely heldf and' confined by, the rear.` wall portion 25?' and: by the tabs. 403 40;.. The tabs. 403.. 40; preferably engage the. wine 3.0: ati the rearr thereofg. the wire being thus firmly held between the tabs and the connecting portions I8 andlZIlt' Eig. 3 similar; toilig. L butshows the brush element: benty to .conform to ai. suitable curvature such, as.- the. curvature ofi a.- drum.k Allf bending, has taken place at the connecting portions; IBI andi 2Il`-y and; bending has been :facilitated by the arching offl thesadi portions. at. 28; 282 During: bending` the i. inner forward-.zones of the connect--y ing; portions. are.l under tension; and the. oubeii compression. The arched compressionI portions 28.. 28; yield,` duri-.nes bending; the; arching.- being increased as wilifbeiobsenved byfcompacing'Fig; 8. with 'F.vg.. 9i. 'Rhei pontions; 21h16, are; arched. for.- wardly and the increased arching doesnotainterfereg with the wire; lmemuchiasg the: outer compression zones freely yield, there is no stretching of the inner tension zones, and there is therefore no tendency to distortor open the sockets. The tabs 38, 38 are particularly useful in retaining the two connecting portions i8 and 20 in proper relationship during bending.

Preferably the centers of bending of the connecting portions I8 and 20 .are spaced. from the rear Wall portions 26 at least as far as is the center of the wire 30, and the centers of bending may advantageously be spaced slightly forwardly of the -center of the wire. Thus when the brush element is bent as shown in Fig, 3, there is no tendency to stretch the wire 30. If the centers of bending were at the rear of the center of the wire, there would be a tendency to stretch the wire during bending and bending would therefore be resisted by the resulting tension in the wire. l

The invention Iclaimed is:

l. A brush element of the strip type comprising in combination, a plurality of similar longitudinally spaced tufts of bers each having a -rear portion and a projecting front portion, and a single longitudinalsheet metal member bent to provide va rear wall and to provide two oppositely `disposed side walls which side walls lare shaped to form a plurality of pairs of oppositely disposed mating socket sections longitudinally spaced t9 respectively receive the said inner portions of the fiber tufts which socket sections of each pair are in rrm pressed engagement with the said inner portion of the corresponding tuft, the said socket sections of each pair having their inner edge portions out of transverse register with each other with the result that the said sections are mutually unobstructed to enable them to move toward each -other to the extent permitted by their said engagement with the corresponding tuft and one socket section of each pair having a transversely extending tab thereon which partly embraces the other socket section of the pair to prevent separation of the two sections.

2. A brush element of the strip type comprising in combination, a single longitudinal wire extending throughout the length of the brush element, a plurality of similar longitudinally spaced tufts of fibers with the fibers of each tuft looped at the rear around the said wire and projecting at the front, `and a single longitudinal sheet metal member bent to provide a rear wall behind the wire `and to provide two oppositely disposed side Walls which sfide walls `are shaped to form a plurality of pairs of oppositely disposed mating socket sections at the front of the wire and longitudinally spaced to respectively receive portions of the said looped fiber tufts which socket sections of the said pairs are in rm pressed engagement respectively with the last said portions of the said tufts, the said socket sections of each pair being mutually unobstructed to enable them to move toward each other to the extent permitted by their said engagement with the corresponding tuft and one socket section of each pair having two transversely extending tabs thereon which partly embrace the other socket section of the pair to prevent separation of the two sections.

3. A brush element of the strip type comprising in combination, a single longitudinal wire extending throughout the length of the brush element, a plurality of similar longitudinally spaced tufts of fibers with the fibers of each tuft looped at the rear around the wire and projectform a plurality of pairs of oppositely disposed mating socket sections at the front of the Wire and longitudinally spaced to respectively receive portions of the looped fiber tufts which socket sections of the said pairs are infirm pressed engagement with the last said portions of the said tufts, the said socket sections of each pair being mutually unobstructed to enable them to move toward each other to the extent permitted by their said engagement with the corresponding tuft and one socket section of each pair having a transversely extending tab thereon which tab partly embraces the other socket section of the pair to prevent separation of the two sections and which tab also engages at its rear edge with a portion of the opposite side wall to additionally resist relative movement between the two socket sections.

4. A brush element of the strip type compris ing in combination, a single longitudinal wire extending throughout the length of the brush element, a plurality of similar longitudinally spaced tufts of bers With the bers of each tuft looped at the rear around the wire and projecting at the front, and a single longitudinal sheet metal member bent to provide a rear Wall behind the wire and to provide two oppositely disposed side Walls which side walls are shaped to form a plurality of pairs of oppositely disposed mating socket sections at the front of the wire and longitudinally spaced to respectively receive portions of the said looped fiber tufts which socket sections of the said pairs are in firm pressed engagement respectively with the last said portions of the said tufts, the said socket sections of each pair being mutually unobstructed to enable them to move toward each other to the extent permitted by their said engagement With the corresponding tuft and one socket section of each pair having tWo transversely extending tabs thereon which tabs partly embrace the other socket section of the pair to prevent separation of the two sections and which tabs also engage at their rear edges with portions of the opposite side Wall to additionally resist relative movement between the two socket sections.

5. A brush element of the strip type comprising in combination, a single longitudinal wire extending throughout the length of the brush element, a plurality of similar longitudinally spaced tufts of bers with the bers of each tuft looped at the rear around the said wire and projecting at the front, and a single longitudinal sheet metal member bent to provide a rear wall behind the said Wire and to provide two oppositely disposed side walls which side walls are shaped to form a plurality of pairs of oppositely disposed mating socket sections at the front of the said Wire and longitudinally spaced to respectively receive and rmly engage portions of the said looped fiber tufts, the said sheet metal member being provided with front notches in the side walls between the socket sections and being provided with registering rear notches in the rear wall and in the side Walls with pairs of closely adjacent oppositely inclined connecting portions between the said notches one of which connecting portions of each pair has a transversely extending tab thereon engaging the other connecting portion of the pair at the front thereof.

6, A. brush element. of; the strip type comprising im. combination. a'. plurality' of similar 1ongi-tudinalI-y spannedA tufts on' fibersv each; having a., rear portionaznct a projectingffront portion, and: a. single longitudinal sheet; metal member bentI tol provide aerearwall and toi provide. two oppo sitehzr disposedi sixiev walls. which; side walls, are'.

shaped.' isoform ai plurality ofi pairs ofi` oppositely disposed; matingy socket. sections longitudinalim spmceotl to; respectively receive the sa-idi inner. portions: of: thee fiber tufts: which socket; sections. of' eachV pairl are.;` in. fir-.rm pnessed engngenrems'` with= the said inner portion ofi the corresponding tutt: andwhich socket; sectionsof each pair are. mw tumllyf unobstructed toi enable them tofmoveto ward eachother 13o-:the extent permtted by: their' said; engagement with thev corresponding: tuft: amt one socket; section of.' each. pair' hauling twov ltmnsyersely: extending; tabs-1 thereon which partly embrace' the; otherfsocket section of thef'pairtoV prevent separation. of the; two sections; thef said: sheet metall` member being provided with front notches; in the.l side wail-Is between the-socket sec- 8I r tions and,l being. provided:` with registering: rem: notches:k in, the rear wall and. in. the. side walls: with pairs of cioselyadj acent oppositely inclined connecting portions between the said notches one: oi whichl connecting: portions of each pairi has a .transverselyv extending taby thereon eneasing-the other connecting portion of the pair at the fronti thereof.

71 A1. brush element of the. strip; type as set forth. in; 6-, wherein thev saidtabs on the; socket sections andi the said tabs on thev connecting portions.y arei on opposite side-l walls andVv extend inv opposite directions;

References Cited. in the file of this patent 

